Dr. James C. Johnston has practiced neurology for more than 25 years and is the founder of Global NeuroCare, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing medical and rehabilitative services with a particular focus in developing countries. In addition to his work in international health care, Dr. James C. Johnston belongs to the American Academy of Neurology.

The American Academy of Neurology estimates than one in six people in the U.S. suffer from a brain disease, and for more than 67 years, it has worked to raise awareness about the severity and prevalence of various neurological conditions through the American Brain Foundation. The Neuro Film Festival competition is one of the premiere fundraising and awareness events hosted by the American Brain Foundation, and on April 21, the winners of the 2015 Neuro Film Festival were announced.

The grand prize went to “The Curse: The Bhutan Epilepsy Project,” which follows the life of a young boy with epilepsy in the Kingdom of Bhutan in the Himalayas. In addition to portraying the stigma of living with epilepsy, the short film shows the lack of infrastructure for training specialists. The runner-up prize was awarded to “Looks like Laury, Sounds like Laury,” a deeply personal vignette of Laury Sacks, an actress and mother who was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia at age 46, and her subsequent decline in health. The audience choice award went to “Changing the Face of Parkinson’s,” which highlights the various community resources available to those with the condition. All short films from 2015 and previous years are available for viewing on the American Brain Foundation’s website at www.patients.aan.com/go/about/neurofilmfestival.